Process for the treatment of fabrics and product thereof



Patented July 25, 1939 PATENT OFFICE PROCESS FOR THE TREATMENT OF FABRICS AND PRODUCT THEREOF Camille Dreyfus, New York, N. Y.

No Drawing.

Application April 7, 1937, Serial No. 135,489

12 Claims. (Cl. 91 -68) This invention relates to the treatment of textile materials and relates more particularly to the treatment of textile fabrics containing yarns, filaments or fibers of organic derivatives of cellu- 'lose in order to improve their textile properties. An object of this invention is to improve the properties of textile fabrics by treating the same with a resinous material. Another object of this invention is to improve the properties of textile fabrics by applying thereto a partially polymerized synthetic resin and continuing the polymerization of the synthetic resin in and on the fabric. Other objects of the invention will appear from the following detailed description.

Certain physical properties of textile materials such as the wearing properties or the tendency to slip, ladder, etc. in some cases fall short of what is desired. This is true of certain textile fabrics lulose acetate or other organic derivatives of cellulose and other fibers such as wool, alpaca, camels hair, etc. I have found that if a textile fabric, particularly one containing staple fibers of cellulose acetate or other organic derivative of cellulose and wool fibers orother animal fibers or fibers of natural sill ,,reconstituted or regenerated cellulose, cotton or flax, is treated with a solution or emulsion of a resin, the wearing properties of the fabric are increased, the tendency to slip, ladder, etc. is substantially eliminated and the feel or hand of the fabric is made more full and resilient.

In accordance with my invention, I treat a fabric, and particularly one formed from a mixture of organic derivative of cellulose fibers and wool or other animal fibers, with a synthetic resin, preferably one which after application to the fabric can be further polymerized or otherwise modified to change its solubility characteristics. When a resinous material is employed which does not readily adhere to the organic derivative of cellulose fiber or filament in the fabric, the fabric is first treated with a modifying agent such as a saponifying agent or a weighting or mordanting agent to change at least a part of the surface of the oragnic derivative of cellulose fibers or filaments in order to make them more receptive to the resinous material.

The textile fabric tobe treated in accordance with this invention may be in the form of woven,

knitted or netted fabric, containing yarns, filaments, fibers, straws or-bristles. However, the.

importance of this invention is best evidenced when a fabric made of a mixture of staple fibers of organic derivatives of cellulose and animal fibers is treated. This invention is particularly applicable for adding resiliency to fabrics formed of or containing yarns made of a mixture of fibers of organic derivatives of cellulose and animal fibers, which fabric is formed with a pile or nap to resemble camel's-hair overcoat fabric; By treating fabrics having a woven or brushed-up l0 nap or pile in accordance with this invention, the wearing quality of the fabric is greatly enhanced as the treatment tends to lock the nap or pile fibers in place.

Fibers or filaments of any suitable organic de- 15 rivative of cellulose such as the organic esters of cellulose and the cellulose ethers may be employed in forming at least some of the yarns in the fabric. Examples of. the organic esters of cellulose are cellulose acetate, cellulose formate, cellulose propionate and cellulose butyrate, while examples of the cellulose ethers are ethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose and benzylcellulose. The fabric, as stated, need not consist wholly of such organic derivative of cellulose fibers, filaments, bristles, etc., but may also contain other fibers and/or filaments such as natural silk, reconstituted cellulose, cotton, flax, wool, alpaca, camels hair and. other animal fibers or mixtures of these. If desired, the fabric to be treated may contain yarns made wholly of such other fibers or filaments fabricated with yarns containing an organic derivative of cellulose fibers or filaments or it may be formed of composite yarns made of fibers or filaments of an organic derivative of cellulose and fibers or filaments of other materials. Any suitable resin or resinous materialthat is v soluble in solvents that are not active solvents, at

the temperature of application, for the particular organic derivative ofcellulose in the fabric may 40 be employed. By employing solvents or dispersing mediums for the resins, which solvents or dispersing'mediums are not active solvents for the organic derivative of cellulose, the individuality of the fibers of the fabric are unaltered and the fabric retains its original textile character.

As examples of suitable resins to be employed there may be cited the resins formed by polymerization or condensation of compounds containing the vinyl radicle (RC=CR), such as acrylic acid 0 and the esters of vinyl compounds such as vinyl acetate, halogenated vinyl compounds such as vinyl chloride or mixtures of two or more of these compounds such as a mixture of vinyl chloride and vinyl acetate,

The" partially polymerized compound employed may be formed by partially polymerizing vinyl acetate orother vinyl compounds, forinstance, such as may be formed by dehalogenating a vinyl halide such as vinyl chloride, by means of zinc dust, vinyl propionate, vinyl phthalate, styrene (CsH5CH=CH2) or any other suitable compound containing the CH -CI-Iz group. These vinyl compounds may be partially polymerizedby exposure to light or ultra-violet light such as is emitted from a mercury vapor lamp, by heat or in any other suitable manner in the presence or absence of catalytic assistants such as benzoyl peroxide or uranium salts. While the degree of polymerization of the vinyl compound may be varied so that it has either a jelly-like consistency, or is solid, the polymerization should not proceed to the point where the product is insoluble in all organic solvents.

Many of these resins may be obtained in a partially polymerizedstate that is soluble in ben- I zene, toluene, alcohol-water mixtures and other low' boiling solvents, The partially polymerized resin may be applied to the fabric from its solution, and then after the solvent removed therefrom the fabric is subjected to heat, ultra-violet light, acid vapors or other agent to effect a further polymerization of the resin to an insoluble or relatively insoluble state.

In a similar manner other types of soluble or emulsifiable resins may be employed, for example, such resins as may be formed by the partial or full polymerization or condensation of an aldehyde, such as formaldehyde, with urea, or of a polyhydric alcohol, such as glycerine with a polybasic acid such as hthalio acid, or of an aldehyde, such as formal' hyde with a phenolic compound such as phenol, etc. By varying the relative proportions of ,reagents and the conditions of polymerization, soluble or emulsifiable types of resins may be formed which, when subjected to heat or other reagents, are changed to the insoluble state insofar as'dry cleaning fluids and water are concerned. Any suitable method of forming such resins may be employed, many of such methods being well known in the art of manufacturing synthetic resins.

Although it is preferable to employ a resin which after application can be modified to a state of insolubility in reagents normally employed in dry cleaning, this invention is also applicable to the application of fabrics of resins which cannot be modified after application to the fabric and which may or may not be soluble in dry cleaning fluids. Naturally the utility of resins soluble in dry cleaning fluids is limited. Moreover, the resin employed should not be so brittle that it powders and comes off the fabric upon flexing of the fabric or one which melts or becomes tacky at slightly elevated temperatures.

The resin or resinous material may be applied to the fabric by dipping the same in a bath containing the'resin or resinous material in solution, by spraying a solution of the same onto the fabric, by, mechanial impregnation or padding, or in any other suitable manner. The solution of resin is applied to the fabric in such a manner and in such concentration that the amount of resin retained inor' on the fabric after the solvent or diluent is removed is from 1 to 10%, based on the weight of the fabric. For worsted and like fabrics from 2 to 4%, on the weight of the fabric, of resin is usually sufficient, while pile or napped fabrics, such as fabrics used in making overcoats, may require from 5 to 8%, based on the weight of the fabric, of resin. On some materials, such as velvets, plushes and satins, it may be desirable to apply all of the resin or at least a substantial part of it to the back face of the fabric, keeping the front or pile face relatively free of the same.

The partially polymerized vinyl compound may be applied while dissolved in a suitable solvent or while emulsified or colloidally dispersed in an aqueous liquid to the woven, knitted or netted fabric by dipping, spraying and the like.

The partially polymerized vinyl compound is applied to the textile fabric while dissolved in a suitable solvent therefor, such as, for example, benzene or toluene, or the partially polymerized vinyl compound may be applied while dissolved in benzene and/or toluene to form solutions of 0.5 to 10% concentration. If desired, the partially polymerized vinyl compound may be applied as a colloidal dispersion in aqueous solutions of soaps such as olive oil soap or Turkey red oil; The partially polymerized vinyl compound is ap plied to the fabrics in amount of from 1 to 10% of the weight of the yarnpr fabric.

As an illustration and not as a limitation, the

following examples are given:

Example I A resin is formed by the polymerization or condensation of a mixture of phenol and formaldehyde. A fraction of this resin which is soluble in a mixture of water and alcohol of less than 60% alcohol concentration is taken and a solution thereof containing from 9 to 15% solid resin is made; 50 gramsper liter of this solution and 50 grams per liter of ethyl alcohol are added to water to form the treating bath. A fabric containing about '70 parts of cellulose acetate fibers and about 30 parts of wool fibers are submerged in this bath, the excess of the liquid is permitted to drain therefrom, hydro-extracted and finally dried at a temperature of 50 C. The fabric is then subjected to a temperature corresponding to 45 to 50 pounds of steam pressure (240 F.) in

a press for from 4 to 5 minutes to further poly- Example II A resin is formed by the partial polymerization of a mixture of vinyl acetate and vinyl chloride. This partially polymerized resin is applied to fabric in such a manner that after removal of the carrier there remains on the fabric from 3 to 5% of the resin. The fabric is then subjected to a temperature of about 240v to 250 F. for 2 to 3 hours. The fabric so treated is found to be resilient and voluminous in hand and with enhanced wearing properties.

In many instances, it will be found that the solution of resin or partially polymerized resin will not adhere to cellulose acetate or other organic derivative of cellulose fibers or filaments. In such cases, and in accordance with this invention, the fabric or the cellulose acetate or other organic derivative of cellulose fibers or filaments before'being formed into a fabric and in any event prior to application of the solution of resin is treated with an ammonium, sodium orpotassium hydroxide solution, or a basic organic material such as triethanolamine, to partially cellulose acetate or other organic derivative of cellulose fibers or filaments by weighting or mordanting the fabric or the yarns before the yarns are formed into the fabric. The weighting or mordanting of the organic derivative of cellulose fibers "or filaments may be accomplished by treating the same with solutions of tin and silicon compounds in such a manner as to increase the weightof the cellulose acetate or othergorganic derivative of cellulose fibers or filaments by from 5 to 10% or more. This weighting or mordanting of the cellulose acetate or other organic derivative of cellulose fibers or filaments produces a finish on the yarn or gives to the yarn the property of making it receptive to the resinous materials.

It is understood that the foregoing detailed description is given merely by way of illustration and that many variations may be made therein without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Having described my invention, what I desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. Process for the production of fabrics of improved resiliency and free from the tendency to slip and ladder, which comprises treating a fabric, containing staple fibres of organic derivatives of cellulose in admixture "with animal fibres, with resin-forming matter and converting said resin-forming matter to a water-insoluble synthetic resin after the application of said resin-forming matter to said fabric, the amount of resin retained on the fabric being from 1 to 10% fabric.

2. Process for the production of fabrics of improved resiliency and which are substantially free from the tendency to slip and ladder, which comprises treating fibres of cellulose acetate in admixture with animal fibres, with resin-forming matter and converting said resin-forming matter to a waterinsoluble synthetic resin after the application of said resin-forming matter amount of resin retained on the fabric being from 1 to 10% based on the weight of the fabric.

3. Process for the production of fabrics of improved resiliency and which are substantially free from the tendency to slip and ladder, which comprises treating a fabric, containing staple fibres of organic derivatives of cellulose in ad I mixture with animal fibres, withan intermediate condensation product of synthetic resin components and converting said inter'mediate'compound to a water-insoluble synthetic resin on the fabric, the amount of resin retained on the fabric being from 1 to 10% based on the weight of the fabric. Y

4. Process for the production of fabrics of improved resiliency and which are substantially free from the tendency to slip and ladder, which comprises treating a fabric, containing staple fibres of cellulose acetate in admixture with animal fibres, with an intermediate condensation product of synthetic resin components and conwhich are substantially based on the weight of the a fabric, containing staplev to said fabric, the

verting said intermediate compound to a waterinsoluble synthetic resin on the fabric, the amount of resin retained on the fabric being from v1 to 10% based on' the weight of the fabric.

5. Process for-the production of fabrics of improved resiliency and whichare substantially free from the tendency to slip and ladder, which comprises treating a fabric, containing staple fibres of organic derivatives of cellulose in admixture with animal fibres, with a solution of resin-forming matter dissolved in a solvent which is not an active solvent for the organic derivative of cellulose, removing the solvent and converting said resin-forming matter to a water-insoluble synthetic resin on the fabric after removal of the solvent, the amount of resin retained on the fabric being from 1 to 10% based on the weight of the fabric.

6. Process for the production of fabrics of improved resiliency and which are substantially free from the tendency to slip and ladder, which comprises treating a fabric, containing staple fibres of cellulose acetate in admixture with animal fibres, with a solution of resin-formingmatter dissolved in a solvent which is not an active solvent for the cellulose acetate, removing the solvent and converting said resin-forming matter to a water-insoluble synthetic resin on the fabric after removal of the solvent, the amount of resin retained on the fabric being from 1 to 10% based on the weight of the fabric.

'7. Process for the production of fabrics of improved resiliency and which are substantially free from the tendency to slip and ladder, which comprises treating a fabric, containing staple fibres of organic derivatives of cellulose in admixture with animal fibres, with a solution of resin-forming matter dissolved in a solvent which is not an active solvent for the organic derivative of cellulose, removing the solvent and converting said resin-forming matter to a water-insoluble synthetic resin on the fabric by means of heat after removal of the solvent, the amount of resin retained on the fabric being from 1 to 10% based on the weight of the fabric.

8. Processfor theproduction of fabrics of improved resiliency and' which are substantially free from the tendency to slip and ladder, which comprises treating a fabric, containing'staple fibres of cellulose acetate in admixture with ani-v mal fibres, with a solution of resin-forming matter dissolved in a solvent which is not an active solvent for the cellulose acetate, removing the solvent and converting said resin-forming matter to a water-insoluble synthetic resin on the' 9. Process for the production of fabrics of im-' proved resiliency and which are substantially free from the tendency to slip and ladder, which comprises treating a fabric, containing staple fibres of organic derivatives of cellulose in admixture with animal fibres, with a saponifying agent to effect at least a 3% loss in weight, applying to the saponified fabric resin-forming matter and converting said resin-forming matter to a water-insoluble synthetic resin after the application of said resin-forming matter to said fabric, the amount of resin retained on the fabric being from 1 to 10% based on the weight of the fabric. I 10. Process for the production of fabrics of improved resiliency and which are substantially free from the tendency to slip and ladder, which comprises treating a fabric, containing staple fibres of cellulose acetate in admixture with animal fibres, with a saponifying agent to effect at least a 3% loss in weight, applying to the saponifled fabric resin-forming matter and converting said resin-forming matter to a water-insoluble synthetic resin after the application of said resinforming matter to said fabric, the amount of resin retained on the fabric being from 1 to 10% based on the weight of the fabric.

11. Process for the production of fabrics of improved resiliency and which are substantially free from the tendency to slip and ladder, which comprises weighting a fabric, containing staple fibres of organic derivatives of cellulose in ad-' mixture with animal fibres, with a metallic weighting compound to effect a weight increase of at least 5%, applying to the weighted fabric resin-forming matter and converting said resin arenas-c to effect a weight increase of at least 5%, apply- 'ing to the weighted fabric resin-forming matter and converting said resin-forming matter to a water-insoluble synthetic resin after the application of said resin-forming matter to said fabric, the amount of resin retained on the fabric being from 1 to 10% based on the weight of the fabric.

CAMILLE DREYFUS. 

